The Nevada Wolf Pack take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in University Park, Pa. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EDT on CBS.
Penn State is favored by -43.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -. The total is set at 55.5 points.
Here’s my Nevada vs. Penn State prediction and college football picks for Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Nevada vs Penn State Prediction, Picks
- Nevada vs Penn State Pick: Penn State -42.5 (-108, DraftKings)
My Penn State vs Nevada best bet is on the Nittany Lions to cover. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Nevada vs Penn State Odds
| Nevada Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+42.5 -112 | 54.5 -110o / -110u | |
| Penn State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-42.5 -108 | 54.5 -110o / -110u | |
- Nevada vs Penn State point spread: Penn State -42.5 (-108), Nevada +42.5 (-112).
- Nevada vs Penn State over/under: 54.5 (-110o / -110u).
Nevada vs Penn State need To Know, Betting Analysis
Everything is setting up for this to be one of the biggest seasons in Penn State history. The Nittany Lions enter 2025 ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll, their highest preseason ranking since 1997.
Much like the two previous Big 10 teams to win National Championships, a bunch of draft-eligible players all elected to come back for one more year.
Quarterback Drew Allar returns after throwing for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, cementing himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country.
Not one, but both 1,000-yard running backs return in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. They have combined for 56 touchdowns over the past three seasons and form the best one-two backfield punch in the nation.
Four offensive line starters return up front to form what is arguably the best offensive line Penn State has had under head coach James Franklin.
The Lions should be a top-10 defense again.
Dani Dennis-Sutton should be an elite pass-rusher, and Zuriah Fisher could have a breakout year after missing last season due to injury. Zane Durant is a stud in the middle of the defensive line. Defensive backs Zakee Wheatley and AJ Harris are elite on the back end.
Penn State hasn’t been overly strong in the wide receiver room over the past few years, but the Lions grabbed some difference makers in the portal — Kyron Hudson from USC, Devonte Ross from Troy, and Trebor Pena from Syracuse.
Despite all the expectations for this season, Franklin continues to preach a 1-0 mentality and that begins on Saturday with Nevada.
It was a rough first season in Reno for head coach Jeff Choate, posting a 3-10 record and finishing the year with six-straight losses.
Quarterback Brendon Lewis transferred to Memphis after totaling 24 touchdowns last year, leaving Chubba Purdy to finally get his chance as a full-time starter after bouncing around from Florida State to Nebraska before backing up at Nevada in 2024.
Unfortunately, the Wolf Pack lost their entire running back room and top two wide receivers from last year’s squad.
Additionally, the defense is trying to replace six of the top seven tacklers from last year.
Nevada looks weak in the trenches, which should be a massive problem against Penn State.
Say what you want about Franklin in big games, he does not mess around in the not-so-big games. Over the past eight years, Penn State is 9-3 against the spread against Group of 5 or FCS opponents. They are 4-0 ATS as a favorite of 35 or more, winning those games by an average margin of 61.8.
Back the Nittany Lions to throttle Nevada in front of the Happy Valley crowd.
Pick: Penn State -42.5 (-112, DraftKings)
Where To Watch Penn State vs Nevada Live
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: CBS
- Location: Beaver Stadium, Centre County, PA
